theatreworm

i am an incomming junior and was wondering how studying abroad senior year would affect my chances of getting into college. ive posted something similar to this before in a different board but just began discussing it with my gc and principal. if i stay here i will complete the IB diploma. personally, id much rather study abroad for a year (probably with rotary) because im ready to get out and experience the world beyond my front step but my parents are worried that this will actually end up harming my chances of getting into a good school. i will have completed all of the minimum graduation requirements except language arts and theology by the end of this year and my school has told me that i can complete the language arts abroad and they would wave the final year of theology requirment if i did not end up at a religious school and therefore i would end up with a diploma from my high school. HOWEVER, the last student to study abroad from my school was about 7 years ago and was the principles son, so while they would count the credit, im not sure that i would have a gpa for senior year and would not be able to take any higher level classes in the other country because of the language thing. what does everyone think... how would colleges look at this? o and also my top choice of places to study is the Czech Republic i think

theatreworm

bump.......

A.S.A.P.

Listent to your parents. At most colleges you will have opportunities to study abroad. You have only one chance for a senior year in high school, and an IB diploma.

Look for other ways to supplement your education at home through college courses, interesting volunteer work or a community project that you complete. Also, it will be easier to apply to, and visit, colleges if you are home. Just my two cents.

debryc

Talk to college admissions directly. I studied abroad senior year of high school and got NO CREDIT TOWARDS MY HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA but because I explained my situation to all the colleges/scholarship programs I applied to, the experience of studying abroad in Italy really enhanced my applications. I was even contacted by Newsweek to add a few words about their article on unique high school experiences (though was unavailable for the interview). I chose to study abroad through SYA because I had exhausted all academic and extra curricular activities at my home school and as a rising college freshman, do not regret the decision at all. It was unbelievable! I made a ton of new friends, traveled all over Europe, learned a new language, matured, and enjoyed life relatively stress free.

The opportunity to study abroad, I feel, is far more satisfying than getting an IB diploma. You'll always remember a year in a foreign country. In ten years no one will really care about the diploma. Many colleges don't even require a high school diploma for matriculation. Senior year may have prom and graduation (which I returned in time to attend) but really, it's just the same as your first three years. Also, you're only a rising junior so you have plenty of time to complete your college search now.

If you do choose to study abroad senior year, my recommendation is to really get to know your guidance counselor and then finish all your college applications and get your recommendation letters over the summer. You'll appreciate the extra time exploring a new country!

theatreworm

"The opportunity to study abroad, I feel, is far more satisfying than getting an IB diploma. You'll always remember a year in a foreign country. In ten years no one will really care about the diploma."

^that was my thought on the whole thing, although i def. recignize how valuable an IB diploma is... i feel as though i have exhausted the opportunities here and need to open up to the rest of the world, but i certainly agree with ASAP that it would make applying much easier if i stayed here...

debryc how did you deal with the language? had you studied italian before going abroad? did you have problems adapting to italian school?

debryc

I didn't know a single word of Italian before going. That was a big mistake on my part because it took so much longer to connect with my host family and the other Italians in my city. However, because I went with School Year Abroad (www.sya.org) there were 60 other American high school students or post graduates to provide a support network and the school really worked hard to make sure we learned Italian. From what I hear from Rotary members, the immersion is much more intense because there are few other international students with you. However, Rotary does provide very good support.

The bottom line is if you really feel that you're independent enough, work hard, laugh often, and are willing to spend a few months lost, there will come a time (usually in December) where the language just clicks. The transition period is tough, really tough, but then that's why Rotary gives you a whole school year and part of what makes studying abroad so special! I still remember that moment I realized I had stopped translating in my head and started really THINKING in Italian. Now that was amazing.

I went with no expectations of how things should run, so I had no problem adapting to a new style of life and culture.

As far as college goes, I agree that ASAP does bring up a good point. Applying to colleges from Italy was a hassle. I needed to email things back and forth to my parents, my teachers, my guidance counselors. I also had to explain on all my applications why my Secondary School Report was coming from my home school in Southern California but my Midyear School Report was coming from a school in Italy. The support from abroad was not great either because let's face it, the American college admissions system is vastly different from any other country. My host family, for example, couldn't understand why it was such a stressful process or why extracurricular activities were so important. But, it's doable. Gather all your materials before you leave, write a couple of essays so you can get the feel for it and have it looked over by your guidance counselor, and CONTACT COLLEGES BY PHONE AND EMAIL.

I learned a lot in Italy. And even only three weeks in I was able to tap into all my emotions and experiences to write a great college essay that I'm sure helped set me apart form the thousands of other college bound grads. If you choose to go to another country senior year, explain yourself clearly, and really learn, grow, mature, I think you're college chances wouldn't be hurt at all.

Good luck!